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Annual School Report 

Town of Shaftsbury 

Vermont 



FOR THE YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1. 1913 



i 



i 



ANNUAL 

SCHOOL REPORT 



FOR THE 



Town of Shafts bury 

VERMONT 

For the Year comme7ic'mg July 1, 1913 




THE TUTTLE COMPANY 

Rutland. Vermont 
iqi4 




s« 



K^ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRtSS 

lE^efVED 

FEB171921 

DOCUMENTS DIVISION 



School Directors' Report 

YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 1913 

L. W. Cole, Clerk. 

1913 
July 

1. 16. Rutland R. R. Co., Freight on wagon . . 

2. 19. Tuition to White Creek 

3. 26. Fred Smith for sand No. 14 

Aug. 

4. 2. John D. Whittier, salary 

5. 16. R. V. Cole, painting 

6. 23. R. V. Cole, painting No. 14 

7. 25. C. N. Powers, insurance 

S. 25. Agnis Bugbee, cleaning No. 14 

9. 29. Geo. G. Galusha, drawing coal 

Sept. 

10. 1. J. D. Whittier, Sodom T. Tickets 

11. 1. R. V. Cole, painting, Harrington 

11. 2. Oliver Lawrence, auto service 

12. 3. J. D. Whittier, salary 

13. 3. J. D. Wliittier, express and freight bills 

14. 3. Perrv & Kiesman, certificates 

15. 4. W. J. Cole, labor 

16. 5. C. R. & A. B. Hawkins, coal 

17. 5. John T. Robinson, drawing coal 

18. 6. A. H. Winslow, hardware, April 5, 1913. 

19. 6. R. V. Cole, painting Nos. 13 and 14. . . . 

20. 6. Houghton Mifflin Co., books 

22. 6. Geo. Whitman, repairs at No. 8 

23. 6. Merle L. Coulton, services 

24. 6. E. E. Babb & Co., supplies 

25. 6. Silver Burdette & Co., supplies 

26. 6. D. C. Heath Co., supplies. 

27. 6. Ginn & Co., books 

28. 6. Eagle Square ]\Ifg. Co., lumber No. 14. . 

29. 9. F. L. Mattison's Est., supplies 

3 



32 


80 


26 


66 


1 


00 


61 


33 


21 


25 


40 


65 


30 


59 


12 


60' 


13 


05 


20 


00 


21 


50 


9 


25 


61 


33 


2 


18 


3 


00 


19 


20 


192 


74 


3 


50 


41 


05 


20 


08 


42 


13 


5 


60 


10 


00 


61 


85 


56 


25 


57 


00 


41 


28 


26 


77 


20 


02 



80. 


11. 


81. 


11. 


32. 


18. 


33. 


13. 


84. 


13. 


35. 


18. 


86. 


18. 


87. 


13. 


38. 


20. 


89. 


20. 


40. 


20. 


41. 


20. 


42. 


22. 


48. 


22. 


44. 


24. 


45. 


27. 




Oct. 


46. 


1. 


47. 


2 


48. 


4. 


49. 


4. 


50. 


4. 


51. 


4. 


52. 


4. 


58. 


4. 


54. 


4. 


55. 


4; 


56. 


6. 


57. 


7. 


58. 


11. 


59. 


11. 


60. 


17. 


61. 


18. 


68. 


18. 


64. 


21. 


65. 


21. 


66. 


22. 


67. 


22. 


68. 


22. 


69. 


22. 


70. 


22. 


71. 


22. 


7'> 


>>') 



Antone Myers, teaming 

Antone Myers, teaming 

Oscar Cross, transport 4 pupils 

C. R. & A. B. Hawkins, supplies 

Harry Cummins, conductor pipe 

Harold Plilliard, work at No. 8 

Abe Becker, work at No. 18 

Wallace Harrington, work at No. 14 ... . 

Camilla Cole, teaching 2 w^eeks 

Dorothy Houghton, teaching 2 weeks. . 
Henrietta Walbridge, teaching 2 weeks . . 

R. V. Cole, painting at No. 14 

^I. Eva ]\Iiller, teaching 2 weeks 

Miriam E. Green, teaching 2 weeks 

H. A. Bottom, insurance 

Bessie Lakin, teaching 2 weeks 

G. A. Moon & >-?,)ns, wagon tongues &c.. 

A. H. Winslow, hardware No. 14 

Henrietta S. Wal])ridge, teaching 2 weeks 

M. E. Green, teaching 2 weeks 

M. E. Miller, teaching 2 weeks 

Bessie Amidon, teaching 8 weeks 

Mrs. Isabel Shampino, cleaning No. 8 . . 
Abel Harrington, Jr., building fires. . . . 
]\Irs. R. iMattison, cleaning H. Sch. II... 

J. D. Wliittier, salary 

Agnes Hurley, teaching 4 weeks 

Ginn & Co., books 

Camilla Cole, teaching 1 week 

Bessie Lakin, teaching 2 weeks 

Camilla Cole, teaching 2 weeks 16 00 

.Dorothy Houghton, teaching 4 weeks. ... 82 00 

Edward Howard, trans. 6 weeks.. 90 00 

Henrietta Walbridge, 8 weeks 25 50 

M. E. Green, 2 weeks 

C. N. Powers, premium on No. 6 

Geo. G. Galusha, teaming 

Std. Oil Co., 1/2 bbl. floor oil 

J. C. Wemple Co., window shades 

Amer. Book Co., books 

Amer. Book Co., ])ooks 27 14 

Bessie Lakin. 2 werks If! (lO 

4 



3 


55 


2 


80 


10 


00 


28 


28 


22 


94 


8 


20 


2 


00 


28 


00 


16 


00 


16 


CO 


17 


00 


2 


65 


20 


00 


18 


00 


18 


69 


16 


00 


12 


70 


14 


96 


17 


00 


18 


00 


20 


00 


24 


00 


. 2 


70 


9 


50 


2 


00 


61 


88 


82 


00 


19 


02 


8 


OC 


16 


00 



18 


00 


18 


00 


9 


90 


9 


80 


5 


80 


6 


24 



73. 24. J. B. Whittier, trolley tickets, Sodom 20 00 

74. 24. M. E. Miller, 3 weeks 30 00 

Nov. 

75. 1. M. E. Green, 2 weeks 18 00 

76. 1. Eagle Sq. Mfg. Co., material 5 83 

76. 3. Jessie Olin, throwing in wood. 2 00 

77. 4. L. J. Barton, janitor 15 75 

78. 5. J. D. Whittier, salary 62 75 

79. 6. L. W. Cole, supplies 1 65 

80. 7. J. L. Hammett, books, order No. 21 62 75 

81. 7. E. E. Babb Co., supplies 6 00 

82. 7. Mrs. F. Watson, cleaning M. Hill 2 00 

83. 7. Milton Bradley Co., supplies 1105 

84. 7. Agnes Hurley, 5 weeks 40 00 

85. 7. Henrietta Walbridge, 2 weeks 17 00 

86.. 7. Bessie Lakin, 2 weeks 16 00 

87. 8. Camilla Cole, 4 Aveeks 32 00 

88. 12. Bessie Amidon, 5 weeks 40 00 

89. 15. Edward Howard, 4 weeks 60 00 

90. 15. M. Eva Miller, 3 weeks 30 00 

91. 15. M. E. Green. 2 weeks 18 00 

92. 22. Alfred Mattison, labor M. Hill 4 00 

93. 22. Georgeanna Twitchel, 8 weeks 64 00 

94. 22. N. B. Graded school, Sodom and High 

school 244 25 

95. 22. Henrietta Walbridge, 2 weeks 17 00 

96. 22. Dorothy Houghton, 5 weeks 40 00 

97. 25. L. J. Barton, janitor 12 00 

98. 26. M. E. Green, 2 weeks 18 00 

99. 26. Bessie Lakin, 2 weeks 16 00 

100. 26. Agnes Hurley, 3 weeks 24 00 

101. 29. Camilla Cole, 3 weeks 24 00 

102. 29. M. E. Miller, 2 weeks 20 00 

Dee. 

103. 2. Wni. Bourne, 8 bbl. kindling ' 3 00 

104. 5. Eagle Sqr. Mfg. Co., kindling No. 13.. 3 13 

105. 5. J. D. Whittier, salary 62 75 

106. 5. J. D. Whittier, Salary 59 91 

107. 10. Eagle Sqr. Mfg. Co., moulding 50 

108. 11. Henrietta Walbridge, 3 weeks 25 50 

109. 20. L. J. Barton, janitor 12 00 

110. 20. M. E. Miller, 3 weeks 30 00 

111. 20. Camilla Cole, 3 weeks 24 00 

5 



112. 


20. 


113. 


20. 


114. 


22. 


115. 


22. 


116. 


22. 


117. 


22. 


118. 


22. 


119. 


23. 


120. 


24. 


122. 


26. 


123. 


29. 




1914 


124. 


1. 


125. 


2. 


126. 


2. 


127. 


3. 


128. 


3. 


129. 


3. 


130. 


5. 


131. 


7. 


132. 


7. 


133. 


10. 


134. 


16. 


135. 


16. 


136. 


16. 


137. 


16. 


138. 


16. 


139. 


16. 


140. 


17. 


141. 


17. 


142. 


17. 


143. 


20. 


144. 


20. 


145. 


27. 


146. 


27. 


147. 


27. 


148. 


27. 


149. 


27. 


150. 


30. 


151. 


30. 


152. 


30. 


153. 


30. 



Bessie Lakin, 4 weeks 

Dorothy Houghton, 4 weeks 

J. D. Whittier for Mary Garey 

Bessie Amidon, 6 weeks 

Elmer Amidon, sawing wood 

D. Agnis Hlirley, teaching 3 weeks 

Elsie Millington, teaching 3 weeks 

]\Irs. Gates, care of school house 7 weeks . . 

E. B. Howard, transportation 5 weeks. . 

H. S. Walbridge, teaching 1 week 

Fred Harrington, work at No. 14 

Abel Harrington, 10 weeks, fires 

Mary Gary, 7 weeks less $20.00 

J. I). Whittier, salary 

W. E. Palmer, work at No. 13 

Harold Hilliard, work at No. 8 

]\Ierl. L. Coulter, work at No. 8 

Wallace Harrington, work, H. Dist 

W. J. Cole, work at Harrington Dist.. . 
Eagle Sqr. Mfg. Co., kindling Harrington 

dist 

Simeon Dean, cement for No. 14 

L. W. Cole, school tickets, Sodom 

Eagle Sqr. IMf g. Co., material 

F. D. Randall, supplies 

D. Agnes Hurley, teaching 2 weeks 

Sara Shaw, teaching 2 weeks 

Bessie Lakin, teaching 2 weeks 

H. S. Walbridge, teaching 2 weeks. . . . 

Camilla Cole, teaching 2 weeks 

M. E. ^liller, teaching 2 weeks 

G. E. & R. A. :\roon, sleigh 

L. W. Cole, labor and bill 

Sol ]\Iattison, work at No. 8 

Geo, Whitman, work at No. 8 

Ginn & Co., books 

Hinds, Noble & Eldrige, books 

E. E. Bab]) & Co., books 

Lester Robinson, 3 cords wood 

C. R. & A B. Hawkins, supplies 

Tuttle & Co., order book 

Sara Shaw, teaching 2 weeks.. T 

6 



32 


00 


32 


00 


20 


00 


48 


00 


1 


50 


24 


00 


24 


00 


1 


75 


75 


00 


8 


50 


31 


60 


2 


50 


36 


00 


61 


33 




75 


3 


50 


7 


60 


2 


55 


2 


40 


1 


50 


11 


45 


20 


00 


10 


29 


11 


50 


16 


00 


16 


00 


16 


00 


17 


00 


16 


00 


22 


00 


82 


00 


29 


91 


8 


59 




37 


5 


76 




20 


10 


68 


13 


50 


9 


18 




75 


16 


00 



154. 


31. 




Feb. 


155. 


3. 


156. 


5. 


157. 


5. 


158. 


6. 


159. 


7. 


160. 


7. 


161. 


13. 


162. 


13. 


163. 


13. 


164. 


13. 


165. 


14. 


166. 


21. 


167. 


21. 


168. 


21. 


169. 


27. 


170. 


27. 


171. 


28. 


172. 


28. 


173. 


28. 




Mar, 


174. 


2. 


175. 


4. 


176. 


4. 


177. 


6. 


178. 


7. 


179. 


7. 


180. 


7. 


181. 


11. 


182. 


13. 


183. 


16. 


184. 


20. 


185. 


20. 


186. 


20. 


187. 


21. 


188. 


21. 


189. 


23. 


390. 


23. 


191. 


25 



M. E. Miller, teaching 2 weeks 22 00 

Bessie Lakin, teaching 1 week 

Bessie Lakin, teaching 2 weeks 

J. D. Wliittier, salary 

Camilla Cole, teaching 3 weeks 

Ed. Howard, transportation 5 weeks $2.00 

out 

H. S. Walbridge, teaching 3 weeks 

Agnes Hurley, teaching 4 weeks 

Sara Shaw, teaching 2 weeks 

Camilla Cole, teaching 1 week 

]\I. Eva Miller, teaching 2 weeks 

Hinds, Noble & Eldrige, books 

L. J. Barton, janitor 7 weeks 

F. S. Howard to W. R. White, rent of school 

wagon 

H. S. Walbridge, teaching 2 weeks 

Sara Shaw, teaching 2 weeks 

M. Eva ]\Iiller, teaching 2 weeks 

Bessie Lakin, teaching 1 week 

J. D. Whittier, salary 

Mrs. Lina iNIitchel, teaching 7 weeks .... 

Camilla Cole, teaching 1 week 

No. Ben. Graded School, tuition 

Eagle Sqr. ^Ifg. Co., glazing &c 

D. Agnes Hurley, teaching 3 weeks 

H. S. Walbridge, teaching 2 weeks 

Bessie Lakin, teaching 1 week 

Truman Amidon, sawing 3 cords wood. . 

Bessie Amidon, teaching 4 weeks 

Sara Shaw, teaching 81/2 days 

Berkshire St. R. R., school tickets 

Bessie Lakin, teaching 5 weeks 

D. Agnes Hurley, teaching 2 weeks 16 00 

Jessie Burgess, teaching 1 week 9 00 

M. Eva ]\Iiller, teaching 3 weeks 33 00 

H. S. Walbridge, 2 weeks, $17.00 and 50c. 

for 11 weeks, $5.50 22 50 

Camilla Cole teaching 4 weeks 32 00 

Lina Mitchel, teaching 3 weeks 24 00 

Bessie Amidon, teaching 7 weeks 56 00 

7 



8 


00 


16 


00 


61 


33 


24 


00 


73 


00 


25 


50 


32 


00 


16 


00 


8 


00 


22 


00 


1 


00 


21 


00 


9 


00 


17 


00 


16 


00 


22 


00 


8 


00 


61 


33 


56 


00 


8 


00 


221 


75 


1 


10 


24 00 


17 


00 


8 


00 


1 


80 


32 


00 


13 


60 


25 


00 


40 


00 



Ben. High School, tuition. 

Edward Howard, trans. 6 Aveeks 

L. J. Barton, janitor -1 weeks 

Ahel W. Harrington, building fires 

J. D. AVhittier, salary 

C. L. Hurlet, 2 cords wood 

Bessie Lakin, teaching 2 weeks 

Jessie Burgess, teaching 2 weeks 

H. S. Walbridge, teaching 2 weeks 

Bessie Lakin, teaching 1 week 

I\I. Eva Miller, teaching 2 weeks 

Camilla Cole, teaching 2 weeks 

]\Ierton Olin, 4 cords wood 

Agnes Hurley, teaching 3 weeks 

E. E. Babb & Co., books 

W. B. Wilson, stove pipe 

Lina Alitchel, teaching 4 weeks 

J. D. Whittier, salary 

Bessie Lakin, teaching 2 weeks 

Camilla Cole, teaching 2 weeks 

M. Eva ]\Iiller, teaching 2 weeks 

jMinnie Gates, building fires 

Jessie Burgess, teaching 2 weeks 

Bessie Amidon, teaching 5 weeks 

H. S. Walbridge, teaching 3 weeks 

Edward Howard, trans. 4 weeks 

D. Agnes Kurley, teaching 3 weeks 

Jessie Burgess, teaching 2 weeks 

Eagle Sqr Mfg. Co., cemeiit 

M. Eva jVIiller, teaching 2 weeks 

Camilla Cole, teaching 2 Aveeks 

Lina ]\Iitchel, teaching 3 weeks 

Hawkins Patton, sawing wood 

L. J. Barton, janitor 7 weeks 

Bessie Lakin, teaching 2 weeks 

]\I. Eva Miller, teaching 1 week 

H. S. Walbridge, teaching 2 weeks 

Ben. Graded School, tuition 

J. D. Whittier, salary 

231. 27. Mary Geary, teaching* 17 weeks 136 00 



192. 


30. 


193. 


30. 


194. 


Apr. 
1. 


195. 


3. 


196. 


4. 


197. 


10. 


198. 


10. 


199. 


17. 


200. 


17. 


200. 


17. 


201. 


17. 


202. 


17. 


203. 


20. 


204. 


24. 


205. 


24. 


206. 


24. 


207. 


27. 


208. 


28. 


209. 


29. 


210. 


30. 


211. 


May 
2. 


212. 


5. 


213. 


8. 


214. 


8. 


215. 


9. 


216. 


15. 


217. 


15. 


218. 


as. 


220. 


15. 


221. 


15. 


222. 


16. 


223. 


16. 


224. 


16. 


225. 


18. 


226. 


18. 


227. 

228. 


23. 
25. 


229. 


26. 


230. 


27. 



48 


00 


90 


00 


12 


00 


2 


50 


61 


33 


9 


00 


16 


00 


18 


00 


18 


00 


8 


00 


22 


00 


16 


00 


20 


00 


27 00 


13 


4.5 


1 


50 


32 


00 


61 


33 


16 


00 


16 


00 


22 


00 


2 


75 


18 


00 


40 00 


27 


00 


60 


00 


27 


00 


18 


00 


1 


80 


22 


00 


16 


00 


24 00 


1 


50 


21 


00 


]6 


00 


11 


00 


18 


00 


24 


00 


61 


33 



232. 28. Earl Cross, building fires 1 85 

233. 29. Eagle Sqr. Mfg. Co., sash cord 1 50 

June. 

234. 1. Camilla Cole, teaching 1 week 8 00" 

235. 6. M. Eva Miller, teaching 2 weeks 22 00 

236. 6. No.. Ben. Graded School, tuition 205 75 

237. 6. J. L. Hammett Co., books 2 70 

238. 6. The Penn. Pub. Co., books 96 

239. 6. Bacon & Vincent, books 5 32 

240. 6. E. E. Babb & Co., books 88 

241. 6. Hall Co., chairs 8 25 

242. 9. Camilla Cole, teaching 1 week 8 00 

243. 12. Agnes Hurley, teaching 4 weeks 36 00 

244. 12. Bessie Lakin, teaching 4 weeks 32 00 

245. 12. Jessie Burgess, teaching 4 weeks 36 00 

246. 13. Mary Gary, teaching 5 weeks 40 00 

247. 13. Eva' Miller, teaching 1 week 11 00 

248. 13. Geo. Galusha, transportation 90 00 

249. 13. Isaac Becker, work at No. 13, centre. ... 1 50* 

250. 13. Hugh Kobinson, help draw coal 2 88 

251. 13. Camilla Cole, teaching 2 weeks 16 00 

252. 15. Berkshire St. R. R., school tickets 2 25 

253. 15. Lina Mitehel, teaching 4 weeks 32 00 

254. 16. Geo. H. Robinson, drawing coal 9 90 

255. 16. Bessie Amidon, teaching 6 weeks 48 00 

256. 17. B. R. Hulett, sawing wood 2 00 

257. 19. Henrietta S. Walbridge, teaching 3 weeks 27 00 

258. 25. Harry Cumraings, conductor pipe No. 14 5 70 

259. 25. C. r' & A. B. Hawkins, car of coal .... 195 01 

260. 25. J. D. Whittier, bill of supplies 30 00 

262. 25. Arnold Shampino, building fires depot . . 4 50 

263. 25, James Bouplon, building fires at Hollow 

264. 25. J. D. Whittier, salary 61 33 

265. 25. Penn. Blackboard Co., for blackboards. . 64 14 

266. 25. Perry & Keesman, printing, supplies.... 3 20 

267. 25. Silver Burdette & Co., books 72 58 

268. 26. Rutland R. R. Co., freight and express.. 6 72 

269. 27. Wi. R. White, drawing coal 1 day 4 50 

270. 27. Joseph Tessier, auto to West Hollow 2 

trips ' 3 00 

Total $6,929 63 

9 



Orders for supplies bought and reported 

last year, and rebated 623 69 



Total expense to date $6,305 94 

This is to certify that we have examined the report of the 
School Board for the school year ending June 30th, 1914, and 
that we find the same correct. 

E. L. DRURY, 
N. D. BOTTOM, 

Auditors. 
Dated at Shaftsbury, Vt., June 30th, 1914. 



Report of the School Board 

We i)resent vou lierewith our report for the vear ending 
June 30th, 1914. 

Our policy has been in the line of improvement and ad- 
vancement, with equal opportunity for all. The problem of 
getting children to school regularly from sparsely settled lo- 
calities is one of the most difficult to solve satisfactorily. 

Two of our schoolhouses were condemned by the State 
Board of Health over a year ago, the ^Montgomery and the Snow 
districts. The one at Sodom is in even worse condition. These 
three schools have been transported by the town with team 
from the east to the three-room school ^t South Shaftsbury, 
and Sodam to the Graded School at North Biennington by trolley 
car. While the school advantages are greatly improved by 
consolidation those who have the longest ride find it somewhat 
tiresome, but these same pupils are saved long walks in bad 
weather. A majority of the people were better pleased to send 
]>y team when they were asked about it. Two or three made 
all the complaints and investigation proved that their children 
were not properly clothed for winter weather. 

At Sodam the trolley makes it easy to get to North Ben- 
nington. Some live within walking distance. IMost of these 
people appreciate the great advantage they have, and have 
no desire to return to the litth' IocmI school. The last consid- 
eration is the money saved by transporting these three schools, 
yet it should be considered. 

10 



Comparative cost of teachers for each school and team and 
trolley tickets for transportation, and tuition at Graded School : 

2 teachers at $8.00 per week, 36 weeks $576 00 

Team at $15.00 per week, 36 weeks 545 00 

Team less than teachers $31 00 

Rebate at 70% Grand list. 50% 270 00 

Saving by transportation $301 00 

Rebate at 50 %< Grand list. 25% $135 00 

Saved on teacher 31 00 

Saving by transportation . 166 00 

Sodam teacher $8.00, 36 weeks 288 00 

Tuition at Graded School, 39 weeks 176 75 

Trolley tickets, $48.00, rebate $24.00 24 00 

Total $200 75 

Saved by transportation $87 25 

Fuel, books and maintenance will add to the cost of single 
schools a considerable sum. These three schoolhouses would 
have to be rebuilt before the State Board would permit their 
Tise. 

It is the policy of the present board to repair and improve 
the single schoolhouses in use, bringing them up to the require- 
ments of the State Board, making the yearly expense equal 
to 70 per cent of the grand list of Shaftsbury district. 

The rebates on this per cent will pay half of the repairs 
at least. 

Respectfully submitted, 
MERLE L. COULTER, Chairman, 
JAMES PETERS, JR., 
L. W. COLE, Clerk. 



11 



Report of the Superintendent 
of Schools 

To the school directors of Shaftsbury: 

For the second time I have the honor of presenting to 
you, and through you to the citizens of the town, my annual 
report of the condition of the public schools, together with 
tables of statistics. Many of these items have not previously 
appeared in reports, and should prove of interest to the citizens 
of the town. 

While there has been no radical change in the work of the 
schools, there has been commendable progress througliout the 
system. The curriculum of schools aiming to meet the needs 
of a community must change with the changes of modern life 
but the changes in schools must be more gradual and the condi- 
tions must be carefully considered before new departures are 
made. With each new condition must come new ideals, and 
with the ideals more earnest and efficient service. A course 
of study to meet the needs of a modern school must be con- 
stantly changed or supplemented by bulletins issued frequeiitly. 

Education was formerly considered a preparation for the 
right living of the individual; today we feel that it is some- 
thing more, and that in addition to future needs, it should be 
right living itself. To this end the modern school is growing 
more and more to supplement the home, and in this age of 
commercialism is leaning more and more to the practical and 
commercial. The cry is, more school, greater efficiency, greater 
financial returns. 

This is all well and good, but the cultural side of education 
must not be lost sight of. That which leads to a deeper realiza- 
tion of the truths of life and helps to solve the problems of 
life as well as matter cannot be sacrificed. Wiien we express the 
work of our schools in terms of industrial service only, and 
turn out efficient laborers, and skillful artisans lacking the 
culture that has characterized the New England of the past, 
we have let the pendulum swing too far toward the commercial 
end. The great problem confronting us today is how to make 
the school work practical and at the same time cultural. 

12 



The doctrine of formal discipline as applied to the classical 
and higher mathematics has been proven false, and we believe 
it is no longer necessary to study the classics for mental 
discipline. But the thought and ideals expressed in the world's 
best literature are not proven false, nor can we afford to lose 
the culture which comes from an acquaintance with that litera- 
ture. 

At the beginning of the fall term there had been five 
changes made in the teaching force with the idea of considerably 
improving the work in the schools. With but two exceptions 
I was highly pleased with the results obtained. As a result 
of lack of co-operation from parents and pupils in one district 
one teacher resigned at the close of the fall term. The other 
teacher, although highly recommended for the position, lacked 
the required responsibility and good judgment necessary for 
proper performance of her duties and therefore left, without 
giving notice, during the term. An experienced teacher was 
secured for the first position but it was not until the opening 
of the spring term that a suitable teacher could be secured 
for the latter position. 

The following teachers have been secured to fill vacancies: 
Miss Hilda Farnum of Bennington Hjigh School Teachers' 
Training Course for the Shaftsbury Hollow School; Miss Ruth 
Harris of the Bennington High School Teachers' Training 
Course for the Harrington School ; Miss Bessie Niles of Cas- 
tleton Normal School for the Primary School. 

The other schools will be taught by the same teachers as 
during the past year. In order to retain some of the teachers 
in their former positions it has been necessary to increase their 
salaries. In view of the fact that some salaries have been in- 
creased I find that it will cost the town by taxation only 
$144.00 in addition to the year's salaries paid two years ago 
for the same schools. 

During the past year no report cards have been issued to 
parents in regard to the work of the pupils as they were re- 
quired to take their examinations home for their parents to 
look over and sign. Beginning with the fall term report cards 
Mall be issued at the middle and end of each term and sent to 
the parents for their signature after which they will be re- 
turned to the teacher. Report cards will be preceded by special 
reports in all cases where a pupil is doing unsatisfactory work. 

In order that there shall be no misunderstanding by the 
teachers or myself in regard to absence of pupils we shall re- 

13 



quire that absence be explained by written statement for par- 
ent or guardian. 

On account of the distance and length of time required to 
go to Montpelier to the State Teachers' Convention no teachers 
attended the convention from this town last October. All 
but two teachers spent their time in observing the work of 
the North Adams Normal and Bennington Graded Schools. 
I feel sure the tw^o days were profitably spent, as reports from 
the teachers show that they discovered their own shortcomings, 
by those of others having practically the same problems to 
solve. 

Through the courtesy of our Congressman Hon. Frank L. 
Greene, 1,500 packages of flower and vegetable seeds wore dis- 
tributed among the children of the schools in the early spring 
and they were encouraged by the teachers to plant them at their 
homes. As an aid to this work several of the teachers gave 
lessons upon the proper methods of preparing the ground, 
planting the seed, and cultivating the plants. Any effort which 
we can within reasonal^le bounds put forth to inculcate in 
children a love of nature and an interest in animal and plant 
life is well spent. We should do far more than we have done 
rather than less. At two of the schools, Shaftsbury Depot and 
Niles, the teachers have been instrumental in having the children 
make their own gardens and it is to be hoped that others will 
take up this line of work another year. 

At present the following pupils are enrolled as members of 
Boys' and Girls' Agricultural Clubs: Potato Club, 15 mem- 
bers ; Corn Club, 7 members. These members are not only to 
receive a return in cash for their crops but are to learn the 
best methods of crop production at a time in life when it will 
be of most use to develop an interest in country life. 

The Bennington County Improvement Association has of- 
fered prizes amounting to $110.00 to be awarded to boys under 
eighteen years of age in the County. The awards are to be 
made upon the following basis: 
Potato Clith 

Greatest yield per acre, 40 points. 

Best showing of profit on investment, 30 points. 

Best exhibit of one peck of seed potatoes, 15 points. 

Best history on "How I ]Made My Crop of Potatoes," 15 
points. 

Corn Clul) 

Greatest yield per acre, 30 points. 

Biest showing of profit on investment, 30 point. 

14 



Best exhibit of ten ears at county fairs, 20 points. 

Best history on "How I Made .My Crop of Corn," 20 points. 

It is to be hoped that the boys of this town will receive 
their share of the awards. 

During the spring vacation twenty-three pupils and teach- 
ers from the towns of Arlington and Shaftsbury made a day's 
trip to Albany for the purpose of visiting the State House 
and seeing the Legislature in session. The State Educational 
building anci other important buildings were visited on the 
trip. It is to be hoped that such a trip may be taken annually. 

The penny savings system started in the schools in ]\Iarcli 
1913, has been very satisfactory. About 95 per cent of the 
present depositors had not previously had money in a bank. 
The amounts have varied in the several schools as will be seen 
from the summary given below. 

Banks Deposits :\Iarch 1st, 1913 to July 1st, 1914 
School Present Teacher Amount Deposited 

G-rammar, Eva :\r. :\Iiller $39 06 

Intermediate, D. Agnes Hurley 76 00 

Primary, Jesse Burgess 38 96 

Harrington, Camilla Cole 12 52 

Depot, Henrietta Walbridge 8 11 

Niles, Bessie Lakin 35 35 

KoUow, ]\Iary Gary , 17 

Center, Bessie Amidon ....'. 6 53 

Maple Hill, Lina I\Iitchell 8 98 

Total Deposited $225 68 

A small percentage of the pupils in the schools were not 
promoted at the end of the spring term while a still smaller 
percentage were promoted for six weeks' trial in the higher 
grades. The object of the promotion is to place the pupil in 
the class where he can do the work that is best for him to do. 
Is the pupil best fitted for the work in this grade or that grade, 
is the question. Tliere is no element of reward or punishment 
in promotion, simply a placing of the child in the best place 
for him to do his best work. To retain a pupil for any reason 
except for his own good is doing him a wrong ; on the other hand 
to push him into a grade where the work is too hard, where 
he will become lost and discouraged, is just as great a wrong. 
The child's individual good is the first thing to be considered. 

A Parent-Teachers' Association was formed at South Shafts- 
bury and also at Shaftsbury Depot during the past year. Owing 
to the fact that the Associations were not formed until near 

15 



the close of the spring term no difinite work was undertaken 
in connection with the schools during the spring term but it 
is hoped that during another year there may be several gather- 
ings at the school buildings for addresses, talks and discussions. 
If parents and teachers can be brought together for such dis- 
cussions during each year I am confident that the welfare of the 
child will in time over-shadow all other school matters. 

One of the greatest needs at the present day is to have the 
patrons of the public schools brought to a fair understanding 
of the school laws of the State. 

During the winter term two illustrated lectures were given 
in this town on "Consolidated Schools." Both lectures were 
given on very stormy nights but with this handicap we were 
fortunate in having an average attendance of fifty-seven at 
each lecture. In addition to the above lectures your superin- 
tendent has been in attendance upon nineteen evening enter- 
tainments at the various schools and has in most cases en- 
deavored to acquaint those present with certain forms of educa- 
tional progress. 

By an act of the last General Assembly the sum of fifteen 
hundred dollars was appropriated for the Department of Educa- 
tion at Montpelier to use in purchasing stereopticon lanterns 
and slides for the use of the Union Superintendents throughout 
the State. During the past winter and spring terms the lanterns 
and slides were ased six tim'es at school buildings and once 
at Cole Hall, giving visual instruction in regard to the follow- 
ing: Iron, Steel, Coal, Sault St. Marie Canal, New York City, 
Panama Canal, and Vermont. The total attendance at the 
several meetings has been two hundred and eighty-five. Instruc- 
tion by use of the Stereopticon is yearly gaining favor in the 
best school systems. It is along the line of making instruction 
more graphic, more concrete. School work has too long been 
confined to abstractions, it has been too much limited to the 
study of text-books without the necessary accompanying con- 
crete illustrations. 

A beginning has been made in the use of the Loan Library 
from the department of Pedagogy at Middlebury College but 
as yet not a sufficient number of books has been used by the 
teachers of this district to make any marked showing upon their 
school work. It is my purpose to have a limited number of 
useful books from the library used by the teachers next year 
and I hope I shall be able to make a satisfactory report in regard 
to the matter one year hence. 

16 



In view of the considerable misunderstandilig in regard to 
the actual cost to the taxpayers of the town for supervision by 
Union Superintendent I take this opportunity of giving a few 
figures in regard to the amount of the several towns of this 
Union paid during the past two school years. I will also give 
the amount the several towns received from the State Treasurer 
in rebates because of the employment of a Union Superintendent 
during the year 1912-1913 together with the rebates that should 
be returned because of a Union superintendent having been 
employed during the school year 1914-1915. 



Grand List 1912 

Arlington $5,959 57 

Sandgate 1,572 00 

Shaftsburv 7,612 93 



Total $15,144 50 



Grand List 1913 

Arlington $6,344 35 

Sandgate 1,619 89 

Shaftsbury 7,665 57" 



Total $15,629 81 



Per cent of the $1,250.00 salary to be paid by the several 
towns for school year 1912-1913 : 

Arlington 393513 

Sandgate 104462 

Shaftsburv 502025 



. Total 1.000000 

Rebate from the State Treasurer because of the above salary 
having been paid : 

School year 1912-1913 

Arlington $403 19 

Sandgate 106 42 

Shaftsburv 515 39 



Total 1025 00 

Therefore it cost the several towns of this Union for super- 
vision as follows: 

School year 1912-1913 
Arlington] 

Sandgate 1>$1,250.00— $1,025.00 equals $225.00, the total cost. 
ShaftsburyJ 

Per cent of the $1,500.00 salary to be paid by the several 
towns for school year 1913-1914. 

Arlington .4059 

Sandgate 1036 

Shaftsbury .4905 

Total 1.0000 

17 



Eebate from the State Treasurer because of $1,500.00 having 
been paid for Union supervision. 

School year 1913-1914 
Arlington] 

Sandgatel- $1,500.00— $350.00 equals $1,150.00. 
ShaftsburyJ 

Therefore it will have actually cost the difference between 
the salary paid and the rebate of $1,150.00. The difference 
being $350.00. 

Sumraarv : 

Paid for supervision 1912-1913 $1,250 00 

Paid for supervision 1913-1914 1,500 00 

Total $2,750 00 

Received in rebate 1912-1913 $1,025 00 

To be received in rebates 1913-1914 1,150 00 

Total rebates on account of supervision $2,175 00 

Since making out the above it has come to my notice that 
the above expenditures and rebates for the town of Shaftsbury 
were figured on the total Grand List of the Town including the 
North Bennington School District Grand List. Steps are now 
being taken to secure the correct Grand Lists of the School Dis- 
tricts of the Town of .Shaftsbury in order that the town shall 
pay its correct share and receive its correct rebates on the 
superintendent 's salary. 

]\Iutual understanding and co-operation between school and 
home are absolutely necessary and are very easy to secure in 
most cases. The average parent appreciates the teacher's inter- 
est in the boy or girl and welcomes a note from her in regard 
to the welfare and progress or lack of progress of the child. 
Yet there are some Avho feel that the teacher or superintendent 
have some ' ' axe to grind ' ' if they receive a note in regard to their 
child. In most eases the parent seems to realize that in all likeli- 
hood the teacher or superintendent is doing the best for the 
child. 

The teachers and superintendent endeavor to get in touch 
with the parents to let them know just what their aims are in 
the school work. If the parent does not have tlie right attitude 
toward the teacher and the school, it is a very difficult matter 
to inculcate the right spirit into the child ; if the home people 

18 



cling to the doctrine of an e^'e for an eye and a tooth for a 
tooth, it is no easy matter to make the child see any higher law. 
On the contrary, if the spirit of justice, charity and personal 
responsibility are taught at home there is almost sure to be no 
sflch trouble with such a boy or girl. Unconsciously the parents 
show their attitude to the teacher through the child. 

It is very evident that tlie teachers, pupils and patrons of 
the schools of Shaftsbury believe in co-operation. When their 
assistance was solicited to aid in connection with the School 
Improvement Contest they responded most generously. I am 
yet to learn of the person who refused to lend his assistance for 
furthering the good work. Labor, money, material, encourage- 
ment and all that goes to show co-operation were most gener- 
ously given. As a result of much hard work and the very best 
of co-operation the Shaftsbury Depot School, Miss Henrietta 
Walbredge, teacher won the general first prize in the County 
Contest. When we consider that fifty-two schools in the County 
competed for this prize it shows that it was not easily won. 

The Bennington County Review makes the following com- 
ment in regard to the success of this school : ' ' Taken all in all 
the record of this school furnishes one of the best possible ex- 
amples of community team, and while its victory was by a nar- 
row margin it was fairly earned and well deserved. ' ' 

The Grammar School at South Shaftsbury, Miss Eva M. 
Miller, teacher, was rated among the half-dozen best schools in 
the Contest and won the Town Prize of $5.00. This school was 
also the winner of the Second prize in the Road Maintenance 
Contest last fall. 

Lack of space in this report will not permit me to give in 
detail the numerous and necessary improvements made by the 
several schools but I urge all who are interested to visit the 
schools to have the improvements shown them. 

Since every child is in a large measure the product of his 
environment we should endeavor to improve the environment and 
thereby improve the child. 

In conclusion I desire to thank you, gentlemen, for your 
hearty support and co-operation, the teachers for their loyalty 
and untiring efforts to improve the schools and the parents and 
patrons of the schools for their fair-minded interest in what we 
have attempted to do. 

Respectfully submitted, 

JOHN' D. WHITTIER, 

Union Sup't. of Schools. 
South Shaftsbury, Vt., June 30, 1914. 

19 



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School Year, 
1912-1913 


Enrollment 


School Year, 1913-1914 


Schools 


Ages 


Ages 




5-8 


8-16 


16-18 


18 & 
over 


5-8 


8-16 


16-18 


18 & 
over 


Grammar 

Intermediate. . 

Primary 

Harrington. . . . 

Depot 

Niles 





29 
4 

10 
4 
7 
7 
5 
5 
3 
3 


31 
32 
10 
11 
15 

9 
14 

7 

17 
12 
11 
10 








2 
1 






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29 

9 
12 

7 

7 

7 

5 
Pupils 

u 
a 


22 

31 



9 
13 

9 
10 
11 
19 
Tran 


11 
1 




1 



5porte 

(I 










Hollow 

Center 

Maple Hill .... 

Snow 

Montgomery. . 
Sodom 




1 




Totals 


77 


179 


3 





107 


94 


12 


1 


Total enroll- 
ment for year 


259 








214 








Loss in enroll- 
ment during 
1912-1914 










45 














1 











ATTENDANCE (1913-1914) 

Per cent of a possible 100% 

Grammar School 81% 

Intermediate 91% 

Primary 73% 

Harrington 89% 

Depot 90% 

Niles 79% 

Hollow • 76% 

Center 80% 

Maple Hill 79% 

The average attendance for the pupils transported from the 
Snow and Montgomery Schools to South Shaftsbury has been 
as follows in the several rooms where the pupils were enrolled. 

Per cent of a possible 100% attendance. 

Primary 86 . 6%, 

Intermediate 85 . 2% 

Grammar 87.8% 

Average per cent attendance for pupils transported 87.8% 
of a possible 100%. 

Average per cent of attendance of all pupils enrolled in the 
nine schools maintained, 84.6% of a possible 100%. 



RESULTS OF EXAMINATIONS FOR FREE 
TUITION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS 



Town 



Arlington Shaftsbury Sandgate 





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Year 
May 1912 


15 


1 


3 


18 





4 


i 

2 





May 1913 


8 


8 





14 


10 


1 


2 





Totals 


23 


9 


3 


32 


10 


5 


4 





• 






























1 









Total Passed, 1913 35 Total Passed, 1914 24 

Total Conditioned, 1913 1 Total Conditioned, 1914. . . 18 

Total Failed, 1913 7 Total Failed, 1914 1 

Percent passed 1913 and 1914 ■. . 68 



